Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sinodinos. I refer the Assistant Treasurer to his answer to a question yesterday concerning his dealings with Australian Water Holdings. Noting that the Assistant Treasurer has had 24 hours to reflect on his answer, did the Assistant Treasurer attend a meeting with the chief of staff to the Premier of New South Wales on Wednesday 28 September 2011?

John Hogg (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said yesterday, the minister can answer the question in so much as that applies to the minister's portfolio.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) | Link to this | Hansard source

I have nothing to add to the answers I gave yesterday and I refer you to my ministerial statement.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I remind the minister that he made this statement to the Senate:

I played no role in the awarding of the January 2012 contract to AWH by Sydney Water.

In that context I ask again: did the Assistant Treasurer attend a meeting with the chief of staff to the Premier of New South Wales on Wednesday 28 September 2011?

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) | Link to this | Hansard source

I made a statement on 28 February. I stand by that statement. It relates to my dealings in this matter, in the context of the Senate, and I stand by the statement.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! On both sides!

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Will the Assistant Treasurer provide a full account of his dealings with the contract awarded by Sydney Water to AWH without public tender in January 2012?

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) | Link to this | Hansard source

I quote from my statement of 28 February: I played no role in the awarding of the January 2012 contract to AWH by Sydney Water. I was by then in the Senate and Mr Michael Costa, who succeeded me as chairman, was responsible for securing that agreement.

I understand from public statements by New South Wales government ministers that this process was conducted at arm's length between the two parties to the contract: AWH and Sydney Water. The statement is here. It is in Hansard. Read it. I will get it for you in large type. There it is.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senators on my left!

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

Senator Conroy interjecting—

Senator Brandis interjecting—

Senators Carr and Conroy and Senator Brandis! I am waiting to call Senator McKenzie.